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J.S'/i.ud^^ 




AGRICULTURAL >^-„^«,« 

STATISTICS OF RACINE COUNTY, 




wisconrsiiv. 




Wisconsin State Agrioultural Societ;y, > 
Madison, December Ist, 1851. 3 

Dear Sir : The Executive Committee of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, having 
determined to publish a volume of " Transactions" for the yearlSol, are desirous of procuring for 
publication therein a general account of the agricultural interests of Racine County. . . .ili 
crops. . .manner of cultivation. . .capacity. . .adaptation for tillage, as compared to stock rais- 
ing. . .and such other infornialion as you may think proper to send to the society. 

If you will devote a portion of your leisure time to the preparation of such a paper for us, you 
will greatly assist the Society in accomplishing the ends for which it was organized. To each 
contributor we sliall send a copy of the Volume, and all communications will be duly acknowl- 
edged therein. We should like the manuscript as earlv as January 1st, next. Yours, very truly, 

ALBERT C. INGHAM, 
To Philo White, Esq. > Secretary Wisconsin /State Agricultural Sodetyi 

Racine. \ 



To Albert C. Iitgham, Esq. ) 

Sec'y. Wisconsin State Agr I. Society:^ Racine, Jak. 31st, IS52. 

Dear Sir ; Your Circular of 1st ult., desiring me to prepare a 
paper for the State Agricultural Society, containing " a general account of the ag- 
ricultural interests of Racine County," &c., was duly received. 

My experience as a practical agriculturist having been extremely limited, and 
neaily every moment of my time and attention being absorbed in matters foreign 
to that subject, I had hoped that other gentlemen, more competent than myself to 
supply the desired memoir, of whom there are very many in our county, would have 
responded to your circular. 

But having received your favor of the 2d instant, in which you say that I am 
alone depended on " for information as to that particular matter," I felt that I ought 
no longer to resist the appeal. I have accordingly devoted snatches of my time 
during two or three weeks past, to the collection of such random facts and statistics 
as I have been able to pick up by the way. These facts I have endeavored to ar- 
range in such order as to afford a connected and clear idea ot the agricultural statis* 
tics and farming interests of this county ; and have accompanied them with such 
fugitive ideas in relation to the matter, as have either occurred to my own mind, or 
been elicited from others during my brief investigations of the subject. 

AREA OF RACINE COUNTY. 
Under the Territorial organization of Michigan, the district of country how 
comprising the State of Wisconsin was divided into iour counties — Brown andMil> 
waukee, bounded on the East by Lake Michigan j and Iowa and Crawford, border- 
ing the Mississippi on the West. A Teiritorial Government having been orgaoi- 



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zed (or Wisconsin on the Ith day of July, 1S3G, its legislature, by an act of the 7th 
of December of that year, divided the county of Milwaukee, and erected therefrom 
the county of " Raciive," whose limits were thus defined : " Townships numbered 
1, 2, 3 and 4 north, of ranges 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 east." This included the pres^. 
ent county of Kenosha, which was set off as a separate county in 1850, and by which 
Racine was curtailed of nearly one-half her original proportions. As now constitu- 
ted, Racine county includes the full townships numbered 3 and 4 north, of ranges 
19, 20, 21 and 22 east, and fractional townships 3 and 4 of range 23, bordering lake 
Michigan on the east — together with the four northern tiers of sections in township 
2 of range 19 : These boundaries give the county a superfices, by survey, not far 
from 218,500 acres — or, say 340 square miles. 

PROPORTION OF LAND OCCUPIED AS FARMS. 

Of the aggregate of 218,500 acres, I may safely assume, from the data to which 
I have had access, (the census returns of 1 850, and statistical information from oth- 
er sources) that 150,000 acres are owned or occupied as farms in this county — 
about 120,000 of which is improved, and say 30,000 in wood-lots and unimproved 
prairie ; leaving 08,500 acres of unoccupied and non-resident lands, including lakes, 
ponds marshes, &c. And assuming that the present population of our county is 
16,500 souls, (it was about 15,000 eighteen months ago — in June 1850) 9,500 of 
whom are engaged in farming operations ; and assigning six persons to a family, it 
will follow that 1583 families are engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county, 

EXTENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST. 

Of these 9,500 people, who comprise the 1583 families connected with farm« 
ing in this county, there are doubtless 3,000 (say an average of two to each family 
of six persons) who are out:-door operatives in performing the requisite labor on the 
farms ; and they will accomplish an amount of labor equal to something like 250 
days' work each, within the 365 days of the year. Now if we estimate their ser- 
vices at an average of 70 cents per day, it will show that the sum of $525,000 — 
over half a million — is expended annually in the eounty for farm-labor alone ! Ten 
dollars per acre would be a moderate average of the value of the 150,000 acres oc" 
cupied as farms; this will give an aggregate value for the land, of $1,500,000 : By 
the census returns in June, 1850, agricultural implements, farming tools and ma* 
chines, were put down at not far from §130,000 ; add for increase during the eigh- 
teen months that have elapsed since, say $40,000, and we have an aggregate for that 
item of $170,000 : Besides these, the stock indispensable on a farm— including 
working horses and oxen, cows, hogs, sheep, beef and stock cattle, &c., — forms no 
inconsiderable item in the requisite expenditure for the successful prosecution of 
that all-important industrial pursuit ; the census makes this expenditure more than 
$300,000, for 1850— -say, at this time, (18 months later) $350,000: Allowing $300 
to each farm, for dwellings, bains, out-buildings, &c., and we have $474,900 for this 
item ; It will hence appear, that the total inv-estment in the operations of farminq 
in Racine county, is at least $3,019,900 — over three millions of dollars ! 

In view of the small amount of capital possessed in so recently settled a com- 
munity as ours, this is a vast sum to be expended in what I may be permitted to call 

the TMX6 preparations for farming and within a county whose area scarcely ex- 

teeds twelve by twenty~eight miles. 



3 

AGRICULTURE THE PARAMOUNT INTEREST. 
Of the four primordial sources from which the productive classes derive eub- 
Bistence for themselves, and create wealth and power for nations, viz : — the sea, the 
FOREST, the MINES, and the soil — the latter alone, by the aid of agricultural skill, 
industry and enterprise, is made to furnish three-fourths of the mateiial that gives 
existence to the foreign commerce and iiome trade of the United States : 

Our Exports to foreign countries for 1831, amounted to ©196,689,718 

Of this amount, the products of Agriculture furnished, 145,903,773 

Those of the forest, the sea, manufactures, &;c 50,783,940 

Showing an excess of Agricultural products over all others, of. #95,117,838 

Thus it is demonstrated, that Agkiculture is the great cardinal interest of the 
nation. And in this particular region, it is not only the leading interest, but almost 
the sole reliance of our people, constituting the very ground-work upon which the 
whole superstructure of our business is built and sustained : It is, indeed, the life- 
blood of al! our trade and commerce, and has become the regulator of the whole 
machinery of our business transactions : So that when agriculture languishes, trade 
and commerce, manufactures and the mechanic arts, all droop and decline. 

How vitally important it is, then, that a branch of industry to which all other 
interests are merely auxiliary, and with which their business prospects are so inti- 
mately interwoven, should be aided, and fostered, and noNoiiEi) by all classes, and 
at every sacrifice consistent with a proper regard for the subordinate interests of the 
community. Agricultural associations, and agricultural publications, are undoubt- 
edly among the readiest means of effecting such improvements in the systems of 
tillage common in this region, as the advanced state of the art at this day imperi- 
ously demands, — as well as of diffusing valuable information, and of imparting such 
scientific knowledge to our agriculturists, as will tend to elevate their " calling" to 
a rank commensurate with its vast importance. No such distinctions as " privile- 
ged classes"' can be recognized under our republican system ; but if, by some anom- 
alous up-heaving of the political and social elements of our country, they were to 
be, the holders of the plow should unquestionably be our " lords paramount" 
of the realm, since they are, theoretically and practically, already the " sovereigns" 
of the land. Producing all that commerce subsists upon, they are the arbiters of the 
trade and business of our towns and commercial marts ; and could, if they would, 
hold the political deslinies of the Republic in their hands. 

RACINE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
In this connection, it may be appropriate tor me to state, that our farmers, ful- 
ly impressed with the utility of agricultural associations, organized the " Racine 
Agricultural Society" on the 1st of September last ; and by the 14th of October, 
234 persons had become members by the payment of $1 entrance fee each, thus 
constituting a fund of §234. On the 14th and 15th of that month, an Agricultural 
Exhibition and Fair was held, at which $203,50 was distributed, in forty-six 
premiums to different competitors, in sums varying from $10 to 50 cents each. 
These premiums were awarded, respectively, for the best cultivated farm — best re- 
claimed marsh lands — best crops of wheat, corn, oats, vegetables, &c., — several for 
the best horses, working oxen, milch cows, beef cattle, neat stock, sheep, hogs, and 
breeding animals — for butter, and for cheese — for the best plowing, and for vari- 
ous agricultural implements — for manufactures of cassimeres, flannels, sheeps-gray 
cloth, cabinet furniture, &c. : And diplomas were awarded for a variety of fruits, 



4 

»nch as apples, peaches, peara, quinces, and grapes, and /or garden sauca and escu* 
lents ; for a good many stoves, of new and beautiful patterns ; for hard -ware, me- 
chanics' work and wares, ingenious and useful inventions, jewelry, &c. ; as well as 
for a great variety of family fabricks, and ornamental and needle work, exhibited 
by the wives, the daughters, and the families of the members of the society — man- 
ifesting a spirit of improvement, as well as a degree of skill and accomplishments, 
on the part of the ladies of the rural districts of our county, rarely excelled in the 
most refined of the agricultural communities at the east. So brief a period inter- 
vened between the organization of the society and the holding o( the Fair, (six 
weeks only) that it could not be expected this first exhibition would afford a fair 
sample of the agricultural products of the county, or of the progress made by our 
farmers in systematic agriculture, &c. But the exhibition was highly respectable, 
and highly gratifying to every friend of agriculture in the county. This society is 
destined to open up a new and more propitious era for the farming interests of this 

county. 

CONSTITUENTS OF SOIL. 

Agricultural chemistry teaches, that soil is formed by the intimate mixture 
of the debris of rocks, in the condition of sand, gravel, or clay, with decomposed 
animal and vegetable substances, in the shape of mould, or humus. The simple min- 
eral called alumina, is the base of all clay ; while pure clay is composed exclu- 
sively of silica and alumina. Any earthy mineral, in a granulated form, is called 
SAHD. Now for the sake of simplicity and convenience, I will adopt the division of 

soils into these three constituents — mould, sand, and clay although by scientific 

analyses, these are susceptible of an almost infinite sub-division. 

Soil, then, is constituted of what might be called an amalgam of sand, clay, 
and mould. The nature, composition, and value ot these constituents of soil, vary 
indefinitely in different localities ; and a slight change in the proportion of the in- 
gredients of a soil, might greatly augment or diminish the product of the farmer in 
cultivating crops therein. Earth containing no mould, (or combustible matter) is 
not of itself SOIL, any more than animal or vegetable substances alone make soil. 
How important it is, then, that the farmer should know enough of the chemical 
properties of the surface of the earth he operates in, to enable him to cultivate in 
each field that crop for which its soil is best adapted — or rightly to temper his soil, 
so as to efiect a judicious combination of those constituents most congenial to the 
product he may desire to reap from it. 

RACINE SOIL, ADAPTED TO WHEAT. 

I have made these suggestions with the view of illustrating my opinion, that 
Kacine county is a good wheat-producing district ; and that the failure of our farm- 
ers, for three or four years past, to raise good crops of that grain, is attributable 
mere to a lack of knowledge of the chemical properties of their soil, and to the ab- 
sents of a judicious system of alternation of crops and sub-soiling, than to any in- 
herent defect of the soil itself. 

An eminent Scotch chemist, Dr. Anderson, made critical analyses of several 
wheat soils in Scotland, in ISOO ; among which, samples of surface soil from Mid- 
lothian gave 6.789-lOOOths of combustible matter, or mould. Its composition was 
as follows: Carbon, 4.500— hydrogen, 0.215— oxygen, 1.806- ammonia, 0.268; 
making the 6.789. This soil was distinguished for its productiveness in wheat. 
N©w it is worthy of note, that that powerful fertilizer, Peruvian guano, contains 



4) 

f).5(X) of organic animal matter, almost precisely the proportion that is fomtd 
in the Scotch wheat soil above described. 

The celebrated German chemist, author and agriculturist, Von Thar, says the 
richest soil be ever analyzed, was composed of 

19| parts in a hundred of humus, (or combustible matter) ; 

70 of clay ; 

7i of silicious sand ; 

3. . . of lime. 

100 
The fattest soil, however, is not best adapted to wheat ; but, according to the 
testimony of the most intelligent farmers, a first rate wheat soil ought to contain 
only about six or sevc7i parts in a hundred of humus (or mould) — which, it seems, 
is just the proportion of that constituent in the sub-soil of Racine county, as analy. 
zed by Dr. Philo R. Hot, of this city. The Doctor, by the way, has done good ser- 
vice to science by the investigations he has made in the ornithology, zoology, bot- 
any, horticulture, agriculture, &c. of the country; and who may be expected, I un- 
derstand, at no remote period, to favor the public with his scientific researches. 

ANALYSIS OF RACINE COUNTY SOIL. 
The following is what Dr. Hoy calls his " rough and simple" analysis of the 
soil of Racine county, but the correctness of which may be depended on. His sam- 
ples were taken from a high point on the prairies : 

Soil 4 inches below the surface : Sub-soil 10 inches below surface ; 

Water of absorption 11.0 10.5 

Decayed vegetable matter, (humus) 12.5 6.5 

Soluble salts, tnostly lime ..3.5 6.0 

Clay, (aluminum) 25.0 28.0 

Silicious sand 48.0 49.0 

100 100 

SUB-SOILING REQUISITE. 
From this analysis, it \\-ilI very readily be seen that our surface»soil is, as a 
general thing, too " fat'' for a wheat crop ; and that the sub-soil of itself is belter 
adapted to the production of that grain. Hence the utility of sub-soiling our prai- 
rie land, is most manifest. 

GEOLOGY OF RACINE COUNTY. 

In Dr. Hoy's note communicating the analysis given above, he thus notices th« 
geological characteristics of this county : " Racine county is underlaid by the 
' mountain lime-stone formation,' which comes to the surface at several points, af- 
fording a superior qualily of lime, as well as stone for ordinary building purposes." 
He remarks, in continuation, that the surface-soil of " the up-land prairie is of a 
dark color, containing an excess of organic matter. Lime is lound in but small 
quantities near the surface, but as you descend it increases, which, when mixed by 
sub-soiling with the abundance of decayed vegetable matter of the surface, will form 
a supeior wheat loam. The want of success in growing winter wheat, is mainly 
owing to the superficial manner in which the land is now cultivated : The wheat 
is sown upon the surface of the black vegetable soil, and the roots penetrate but a 
few inches; when winter comes, the plants are either blown out by the roots, or 
the black soil absorbs so much heat when the sun shines that it is constantly sub- 
jectsd to freezing and thawing, and its vitality is soon destroyed. Now the rem- 
edy for this is sub-soiling, whereby a soil is brought to the surface that has mor« 



6 

consistence, containing more lime and clay, and affording the roots of the plant a 
deep and permanent footing." 

This then will explain more than half the secret of short wheat crops with 
us. Sub-soiling is undoubtedly among the most important of the remedies. A 
ready method of doing this, is to cut a furrow seven or eight inches deep at first, 
and then six or seven inches more at the bottom of the first furrow — thus turning 
up the subsoil to the depth of some fourteen inches. From the report of an ag- 
ricultural society in Guernsey, England, in November last, I perceive they use 
heavy sub^soil plows there drawn by eight cattle, cutting a single furrow twelve 
inches in depth and fourteen in width. Might not the same plows, and same number 
of cattle used in breaking up our prairies, be employed to do sufficiently thorough 
work in sub-soiling here, after the fashion practised in England ? 

Now if two bushels of good seed wheat to the acre, sown on ground thus 
prepared, early in September, and covered in with a light plow or cultivator, will 
not bring a remunerating crop on almost any sufficiently dry land in Racine 
County, then the failure must be attributed to other causes than defective soil and 
bad tillage — causes that may be termed fortuitous, and that are as likely to b« 
operative in any other State or county as this. 

DISEASES OF THE WHEAT CROP. 

Yet with every possible precaution, the wheat crop is subject to divers casualties, 
some of which can neither be foreseen nor guarded against. The farmer conse- 
quently runs much hazard of being disappointed, to a greater or less extent, every 
year, where he places too much reliance upon that grain as his principal marketable 
product. 

Winter-kill may, in a good measure, be averted by the process of sub-soiling 
just alluded to ; yet that remedy will sometimes fail. 

The Fly is a very troublesome enemy to the growing wheat ; for which I 
know no reliable antidote. 

The Rust is a disease dependent so wholly upon the condition of the atmos- 
phere at a critical conjuncture in the formation of the berry of the wheat, that 
neither skill nor care can effect much in the application of remedies. 

The "Rot," or Blight, has proved very destructive to the wheat crop in this 
region within three years past — affecting most fatally the " hedge-row " spring 
wheat. It is a mysterious disease — almost as much so as the "rot" in the potato; 
and is believed by some to be superinduced by atmospheric influences, similar to 
those that cause the "rust." As yet, I have seen no remedy suggested. This dis- 
ease attacks the berry in the ear, (or head,) generally after it has attained full size, 
but while yet in its milky state. Frequently one hall the berries in a head will 
be affected, or wholly rotted, while the balance of the grain in that head will 
remain sound and plump. 

GOOD FARMING. 

With a very superficial practical knowledge of agiiculture, it may appear 
presumptuous for me to attempt to instruct old farmers in regard to what consti- 
tutes good farming. Yet from a diversified reading, with habits ot investigation, 
and ample opportunities of observation, at home and abroad, I may peradventure 
be enabled to state facts that are not familiar to all minds, and that may not be 
devoid of interest to the curious inquirer after new truths evolved from old subjects- 



There are certain things essential to be done, and rules to be observed, by 
every cultivator of the soil, in the neglect of which he will incur the reputation of 
a slovenly farmer : But to farm it wisely, judiciously and profitably, in this region, 
all must agree that extra attention is demanded to 

A ROTATION OF CROPS. 
Hitherto, crop after crop of wheat on the same ground, has followed in an- 
nual succession for a serie-; of years. Such a course would be scouted at the east ; 
and it must be abandoned here, or else every variety of wheat will in succession 
«'run out" with us. But the most judicious system of rotating crops can only be 
ascertained by actual experiment and close observation. A system adapted to one 
locality, might be illy suited to another. Each experiment, then, should be chosen 
with express reference to the chemical properties of the soil, as well as to the cli- 
mate and the market, of the region where made. Wheat should be alternated with 
other crops every year. Having seen a rotation like the following suggested, 1 
should think it worthy of trial in Racine County : 

1st year, corn, oats and roots, well manured ; 

2d " barley, or peas — or both ; 

3d " wheat; and 

4th " clover, say lor three years. 

Circumstances may occasionally arise, that will justify a departure from this 
rule ; in such cases, however, the farmer's own sound judgment would be his 
safest guide. Rotations similar to the above, have tripled the products of many 
farms at the east ; and I know no good reason why like results might not be at» 
tained here, by a similar process. 

MANURES. 

As auxiliary to this branch of the system, the tinae has now arrived when it 
behooves our farmers to pay especial attention to the making and preserving of 
manures, and to the discreet and economical use of them. 

DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTS. 
Since the conviction has been brought home to the minds of our farmers, that 
it is unwise and unsafe to rely solely, or even mainly, on the tvheat crop as their 
marketable product, an immediate necessity is felt lor increasing the variety of 
their productions. And it becomes important to know hmv to divide their atten- 
tion between grain growing, stock raising, &c., so as to realize the best reward for 
their labor, skill and money, expended in the management of their farms. In this, 
as in the rotation of crops, they must depend in a large degree upon their own 
sound judgment. The shrewdest of our farmers are yearly more and more diver* 
sifying their crops and their labors — so that if they fail in some, they may hit in 
others. 

In addition to the ordinary grain crops, grass, &c., our farmers have now be- 
come quite awakened in regard to the rearing of horses and neat cattle, instead of 
importing them from Illinois as heretofore — to the rearing of sheep, tor their wool 
as well as their carcass — to the breeding of pigs and the fattening of hogs — to the 
culture of flax and flax-seed; and even the cultivation of CnANBEnaiEsis creating 
a sensation with some of our citizens and practical agriculturists. 

A broad field is thus opened up to stimulate the enterprise and reward the 
labors of our farmers. And although some are straitened just now, by reaion of 



the monetary piessure that is felt throughout the country at this particular juncn 
ture, yet they possess all the elements of abundant and diversified products, — of 
health, comfort and competence, — all the substantial luxuries of life, indeed — in the 
broad acres and rich soil that constitute them lords of lertile manors and happy 
homesteads. 

Perhaps there is not a farming country on this continent, where the time, the 
attention, the skill and the industry ot the agriculturist, can be legitimately em- 
ployed, on his farm, in attending to so great a diversity of remunerating employ* 
ments, as in Wisconsin. I will enumerate some of the most prominent : 

WHEAT. 

This grain is said to have been first found on the central table land of Thibet, 
in Asia, where its representative still exists as a grass, with small mealy seeds. 
Although the wheat crop is becoming more and more precarious, and our farmers 
are resorting to other products, which hitherto received but little attention, yet it 
is still the principal crop of our country. According to the census returns for 
1850, it would seem that the aggregate of wheat grown in Racine county that 
year, was something over 300,000 bushels. And it appears from authentic data, 
that the quantity of wheat shipped horn, the port of Racine, in 1851, was 284,678 
bushels — besides 114,885 bushels, in the shape of 22,977 barrels of flour. 

About twenty varieties of winter, and eight or ten of spring wheat, are most 
commonly in use throughout the United States. Latitude and locality usually de- 
termine the favor or disfavor in which these varieties are respectively held in 
different regions of the Union. In this county, the red-beard or Mediterranean, 
the white flint, the bald white, the Etrurian, the Sooles, the red-chaff bald, and the 
blue stem, are the kinds that most attract the attention of our farmers, or have 
done so for a year or two past. Which of these is best adapted to this particular 
region, is a mooted point with our most astute farmers. Perhaps the best sample 
of winter wheat that has been sold in this market, of the last year's crop, was of 
the Souks kind, from Walworth County ; and it was the same kind that took the 
premium at the Racine County Agricultural Fair, in October — no other sample 
was exhibited to compete with it. Mr. Nicholas Le Prevost, and some of his 
neighbors, living near this city, have been raising the Etrurian winter wheat for a 
year or two past, and have succeeded well with it. With deep plowing, it is selx 
dom winter killed, and rarely affected by the rust. It yields them from 22 to 25 
bushels to the acre, the berry being bright and plump. Mr. Le Prevost sold most 
of his crop for seed, at $1 per bushel. 

SPRING VVHE.^TS. . . ."HEDGE-ROW." 

This species of spring wheat became a great favorite among our farmers six 
or seven years ago, and had nearly supplanted all other kinds in this county. It 
yielded from thirty to forty, and in some instances, 50 bushels to the acre, of sound 
plump grain, which at one time sold for nearly as much as winter wheat. Even 
careless tillage would bring 30 bushels to the acre ; and the crop was considered 
as sure as oats. But it had its day ; and, to use a common phrase, has now nearly 
"run out." Its culture is gradually being abandoned by our farmers, and other 
kinds substituted in its place. 

" Canada Club," seems to find most favor lately ; and the Italian, Black 
Sea, Pritcher, Red River, (Pembina,) and Labrador, are being tried by our fars 
imers. The latter, howerer, proves too hard vnd, flinty, and flours badly. 



B 

OATS. 

This^rain was originally found in North Africa. The crop has been unusually 

5>roductive the past year. Something like 270,000 bushels is reported for 1S50, as 

the growth of this county for that season. Assuming that as data, and the product 

fov 1S51 should be stated at 400,000 bushels at least, for a more prolific crop than 

the last was never known in this region. Over 100 bushels to the acre, was prove*! 

at the agricultural fair. About 100,000 bus^iels was shipped from this Port during 

the past season of navigation. 

CO KN. 

Or TiAiZE, which is indigenous to the American continent, is ordinarily a good 
and safe crop in this county. About 80.000 bushels have been grown in the couri- 
ty the past season, and not far from 20,000 bushels shipped abroad from the port of 
Racine. Corn will be more extensively cultivated hereafter, for fattening pork and 
beef, for feeding stock, and for faifniiy use. It does not pay well for shipment, ex- 
cept to The lumber region. Last season was remarkably unprdpilious for the corn 
crop; cold rains continued through May, causing much of the seed to rot in the 
ground, and thus creating the necessity of re])lanting. 

_ B A 53 li E If . 

Is found wild in the Himalaya mountains, which bound Bengal and Upper 
Hindostan on the north, and form the rich valley of Cashmere, from whence the 
costly shawls bearing that name were originally brought. Barley requires a fatter 
soil than wheat, and is consequently better adajited to the dark surface 'soil of Raci'fie 
county. 40 bushels to the acre is a common yield, and 35 lo 40 cents a bushel the 
usual price, while the crop almost always "hits." It proved more profitable than 
spring wheat the past season, in this county. The product of 1851 somewhat ex* 
ceeded 50,000 bushels ; 40,908 bushels was shipped from this Port in that year. 
B U C It ^V Si E A T . 

Is said to have come originally from Siberia and Tartary. It grows luxuri- 
antly in our soil, and yields abundantly. The home-consumption is large ; it su- 
persedes, ro a considerable extent, the use of other bread-stuffs in very many fami- 
lies, at one meal i>i each day at least, during four or five months in the year Some 
30,000 bushels, was the product of this county for the past year. The export has 

been small, thus far. 

Of PEAS A N B B E A N S> 

I know not the origin. They are of the same class of leguminous plants, how- 
ever, as the "iENTiL" of Scripture history: And I have somewhere seen it sug- 
gested, that one or both may have been added to the lentils which are supposed to 
have formed a principal ingredient in that " mess of pottage" which cost a per- 
sonage of some note among the ancients his " birth-right." They are thu.s used in 

the "olla podrida" of the Peruvians a " mess" which I have found particularly 

grateful to a collapsed stomach, nfter a dinner-less tramp over the bald "sierras" 
of the tropics " where it never rains." Nowhere (always excepting California) do 
peas and beans thrive better than in Racine county, although they are not exten- 
sively cultivated as a field crop. They pay well as a marketable product at the 
east, but are just beginning to be grown with that view here. The home con ■ 
sumption is large ; 450 bushels only, were exported from Racine last season. 

POTATOES. 

Of this important article of " food for both man and beast," the production has 
Ipreatly decreased, in proportion to the increase of population, within three years 



10 

past — wholly attributable to the " rot," or disease, which has made such sad havoa 
in that crop, here and elsewhere. A few years since, Racine exported thousands 
of bushels of potatoes to Chicago and other points ; but the " rof has nearly cut 
off that product trom among the items that make up the commerce of our Port, a 
few only being shipped to the lumber region. Some think, however, that the rot 
has nearly had its run. («) 

SAVEET POTATO. 
Small patches of this delicious vegetable are grown by some of our farmers, 
who have occasionally produced a tolerably good article, and intend hereafter to 
experiment more largely upon their culture. A light, sandy, warm, dry soil, is best 
adapted to the growth of the sweet potato. 

FL.AX. 
Next after cotton and wool, flax is the most important material that has yet 
been discovered for clothing the civilized portion of the human family. And the 
inducements to its culture are greatly increased, from the fact that it may be made 
virtually to yield two crops a year — one from its itbue, and the other from the 
8EBD. It is calculated that a good crop will give 3501bs. of flax lint to the acre ; of 
■which about one-third, say 120Ibs, will ha flax cotton, and the other two-thirds, say 
2301bs., coarse tow, suitable for bagging or the paper mill; and of seed, there will 
be from 12 to 15 bushels to the acre. The product of one aere cultivated in flax, 
may therefore be stated thus : 

Flax cotton, 120 lbs., at 7 cents per lb 8.40 

Flax lint, or tow, 230 lbs., at 3 cents 6,90 

Lin-seed, 15 bushels, at 85 cents 12,75 

Annual product, per acre 28,05 

This is, certainly, a very fair remuneration for the labor and cost of tillage. 
Even when cultivated for the seed alone, flax is a profitable crop, yielding, in 
that event, about 20 bushels per acre ; which, at 85 cents, is $17 cash, since there 
is always a ready and cash demand for the article, and the price very seldom fluc- 
tuates. Active inquiries in regard to the flax culture, are being made in all parts 
of the state ; and the farmers of Racine county are preparing to go more largely 
into that crop the coming season than heretofore. (6) 

Note a : roT.4.T0 Rot : Mr. Flanders, of Lowell, Mass., says the sprinkling of slack' d lime 
on the potato vines, is a remedy for tlris disease, alleging that it " kills the insect that causes the 
rot ;" and some farmers in Maine and NCTv-Hainpshire, who have tested this remedy, endorse it 
as efficacious. It is easily and cheaply tried. M. Charles Morren, a Profes.sor in the University 
of Liege, (on the borders of Belgium) attributes this potato disease to a fungus, extremely thin and 
prolific. He says this hotrydis pullulates or reproduces in an incredible manner ; and describc» 
the reproductive bodies as in the form of an egg, not exceeding in diameter the 392-700ths of an 
inch. But he prescribes no remedy. 

Note 6; Flax. . .Chevalier Claussen (a German, I believe) has invented a process and a 
machine for converting the green flax, immediately on being pulled from the field, into flax cotton 
resdy for spinning, without being previously " rotted," &c. as hitherto practised. He has obtained 
a patent from our government, and sold rights for using the invention in most of the New England 
States, as well as in New York, Illinois, &e. It has been tested in presence of some of the most 
Intelligent of the artizans and men of science at the East ; and it would seem to be their opinion, 
that it performg all that is claimed for it. A . C. Ingham, Esq. Secretary of our State Agricultural 
Society, at Madison, has samples of flax cotton, both raw and manufactured, prepared in accord- 
ance with Chevalier Glaussen's method, which he is exhibiting to members of the legislature, and 
all others who may feel »uflicient interest in the matter to call on him for that purpose. And I 
observe a communication from Governor Farwell, in theMadiBon paper»,in wbicti, among otlicr 



11 

HOPS, 

Grow spontaneously as a wild creeper, in most parts of northern Europe and 
tbe United States. Their culture is made profitable in England and Germany, and 
in the older settled portions of our country. The soil and climate of Racine county 
are well adapted to their culture, and I understand some of our farmers mean to try 
the experiment of hop-raising. Barely sufficient for home consumption, have 
hitherto been produced in our county. 

V£GET ABIiE S. 

No where (out of California) do onions, beets, parsnips, carrots, pumpkins, tur* 
neps, and every variety of garden vegetables, grow Hiore luxuriantly or yield bet- 
ter than in this county, or in Wisconsin generally. Vast quantities are consumed 
in families, and some (especially onions) are shipped to regions less favored. 
TOBACC O, 

(Which is indigenous to the American continent) has attracted the attention 
of some of our agriculturists as a marketable product. Small patches have already 
been cultivated, for family use ; and as a considerable portion of our people indulge 
in the luxury (or vice, according to the fancy of the reader) of the pipe, several of 
our farmers design trying the crop for the supply of that demand. 
THE CRANBERRY 

Is a native of both Europe and America. It grows spontaneously and abun- 
dantly in some parts of Racine county. On and near Wind Lake, in the town of 
Norway, I am told, more than 150 bushels have been picked by hand the past sea- 
son — a boy being able to gather with his hands two bushels a day, for which he 
receives 25 cents a bushel, as his share in the crop. Cultivated cranberries are 
gathered by means of iron-wire rakes, with which a man can get 40 bushels a day. 
These Wind Lake cranberries are decidedly the finest that were ever brought to this 
market. They sold in Rochester (not far from where they grew) at $L50 per 
bushel, and in Racine (23 miles distant) at $2. On wet land, they can be propa- 
gated by being sown broad-cast ; and on a dryer soil, they may be cultivated Irom 
the plants, in drills 10 to 20 inches apart: They should be well weeded the first 
year, but will need less attention the second ; and on the third, they usually spread 
over the ground so as to protect themselves — bearing you a crop of fruit to reward 
you for your time and trouble. 150 bushels to the acre, would be a moderate yield 
lor cultivated cranberries ; and the expense of cultivation, in the long run, would 
be less than for almost any other crop. I am among those who esteem the cran- 
berry, for sauce, jellies and tarts, one of the very best fruits we have. They can bo 
saved, perfect and fresh, for as long a period as the apple j and are more easily 
prepared for the table, on an emergency. 

[nOTK O. . . .CONTINUED.] 

interesting facts in relation to tlie culture of fla.x in our State, lie mentions the receipt of a letter 
from Jolin Galbraith, Esq. of Mukvvanego, Waukeslia county, who is Bdid to have liad more expe- 
rience in the cultivation of fla.v than any other man in this state ; and he declares it as liis belief, 
that Wisconsin is as well adapted to its growth as any other country : 

In 1848, Mr. G. cultivated 20 acres in fla.x. . . .which was a good crop ; 

" 1849, " 98 " ... . very fine crop ; 

" 1S50, " 120 " ... .dry season — middling crop ; 

" 1851, " 108 " ... .splendid crop. 

In view of the anticipated adaptation of flax cotton, by means of Chevalier Claussen's inven- 
tion, to most of the uses to which the cotton of the South is now applied, many are sanguine in the 
opinion that the former will, to a considerable extent, supersede the latter in furniehing raw ma- 
terial for the factories at the East. 



12 

GRASSES AND HAY. 

Br. Hoy rcmnrks, tliat the " last two seasons liave abundantly provcil that the prairies [of tlii* 
region] produce tiniotliy, clover, and red-lop, as well as the best timbered districts, for grazing"— 
niid, I may add, for grass lands generally. Being now assured of this fact, our farmers arc very 
penerally turning their attention to the rearing of stock, and to the curing of hay from cultivated 
grasses, for exportation as well as for home consumption. Until recently, abundance of upland 
prairie hay, some of it nearly equal to timothy, could be readily and cheaply made by every one 
who might need it ; hence the cultivation of the tame grasses was neglected. But since a large, 
jiroportion of the country has now become occupied, and very much of it already passed under the 
plow, the necessity of culUvatitiff grasses has become imperative, and large fields are yearly being 
ceded to timothy and clover, principally the former ; in wet ground, however, red-top is found to 
thrive best. Hay is becoming an article of commerce with us : Some of out farmers, near tiiis- 
ci;ty, pressed, baled, and shipped abroad, 250 tons during the past season. 
tiU-ASS. SEEO. 
Many among us are dcvotini; a good deal of care to the cultivation of grass seed. Some 5,000 
bushels was saved tlie past season in this county ; and :'340 bushels was the amount of our exports 
of that article for 1S51. From IGO acres ceded to timothy in the town of Yorkville, in this coun- 
ty, the entire crop of grass was cut and thrashed ; the yield of seed was over 4| bushels to the 
jicre— giving an aggregate of 7'20 busUeJs : The hay, however, is much damaged in the process of 
thrashing out the seed— b^t was worth at kvi»t®l per ton ; while S-2 per bushel for the seed is th? 
lowest price in the home market : The product from this 100 acres, then, may be tlius stated: 

100 tons of thrashed Hay, at ©I jicr ton S 160 

720 bushels of Seed, at $2 per busiiel 1,440 

Showing an aggregate product of 1,600 

Every item of expenditure could not have exceeded. . . 50* 

Exhibiting a net cash profit of. 1,100 

It would be a fair estimate of the value of these 160 acres, fenced, ceded to timothy, and wi'h 
sjitable out-buildiugs, &c., to place it at $20 per acre. . . .say, for capital invested S.%200- 

Showing a cleai; profit of ;nore than 34 per cent. It will thus be seen, that this branch of far-; 
Biing can be made gainful, if judiciously managed. 

F B IT I T . 

I have the testimony of Dr. Hoy, who is theoretically and practically a horti<:ulturist of many- 
years' experience, that " apples, pears, cherries and plums, do well" in this county, " so far as the 
young trees have come into bearing." But he remarks, further, that " peaches, nectarines and 
apricots, will never be a sure crop" in Wisconsin, because the cold of the winters kills the ' blos- 
som buds' of these kinds of fruit. Another intelligent gentleman suggests, however, tUat it is the 
long continued warmtli of our autumns that does the mischief to the peach crop : The genial tem- 
perature of the " Indian Summer" of Wisconsin, swells the blossom buds of the peach late in the 
..'faii"_tlius rendering the germ of the fruit extremely liable to be killed during the winter. 

" Thc-Orinion and Elsenburg Grapks (continues Dr. Hoy) are perfectly hardy, and never fail 
j-joduoing a large crop. Th? Isabella does well in most localities, the fruit generally ripening." 

At the late Racine Agricultural Fair, diplomas were awarded for the best samples of apples, 
peaches, pears, quinces, and grapes ; and it is said that this display of Racine county fruits, excel- 
led that exhibited at the Stale Agi-icultural Fair at JanesviUe. 

In the year 1640, Mr. Seth H. Kellogg, then of this county, sold about ©CO worth of peaches, 
t'«e production of his own orchard. And I have eaten as fine peaches raised by the Rev. Mr. 
Hall, of Geneva, Walworth county, as I ever did in the peach regions further south. Walter Coo- 
ley, Esq. has also produced most delicious peaches on his farm near this city— as have many oth- 
ers of our citizens in dilferent parts of the county. Yet, as Dr. Hoy remarks, the peach is not a 
sure fruit with us. Our region, however, appears to be quite congenial to the apple : A good 
many barrels of native Wisconsin apples, have been sold in the Racine market the past season- 
which wtre superior to most of those brought from New-York and Ohio ; from whence, however, 
thoijsands of barrels are yet annually imported into this jiart of Wisconsin. 
STOCK RAISING. 

Experience shov** ibat Racine county is well adapted to the rearing of neat cattle— of cows 
for the dairy, beeves for the shambles, and steers for draft oxen. The number of cattle driven 
juto this state from Illinois aud, Indiana, is decreasing yearly ; and our farmers are now more sav- 
ing of their calves for stock, which they arc manifesting much anxipiy to improve by choice breeds. 



13 



Ij appears from ilic census of 1950, that the value of every kind of live-stock was then stated ai 
S2j0,000 in the county,— and may now be safely put down at $300,000. 

BEEF AND PORK. 

Several of our euterprizing citizens are vigorously pursuing the business of packing beef, pork, 
&c. ; some 4,000 barrels were shipped abroad from this Port during the past season, of an aggre- 
gate value of $:35,000. The number of slaughtered liogs brought to Racine during this season has 
been large ; and much pork fattened in our county has found a market elsewhere. Pork now sells 
readily at from #3.50 to ©4 per cwt. ; whereas some few years ago it brouglit only $2 to ©2.50. 

H O K S E .*i . 

Of these noble and indispensable animals, there are about 3,000 in Racine county. . . .of an 
aggregate value, say, of ©150,000. [In Ohio, it appears that the' whole number of horses is 517,306, 
and the average value per head $39 : Whole number of mules 105,908, and the average value 
©47 a head.] There is a diversity of opinion amongour farmers, as to the relative utility of hors- 
es and o.xen as working animals on a farm, although very many use both. There are probably 
not to exceed 2,000 working oxen in the county ; the horses therefore predominate as to numbers t 
Yet when it is considered, that no inconsiderable portion of these 3,000 horses are used for other 
than farming purposes, and that the 2,000 oxen arc all literally beasts of burden to the farmer, we 
may set down the number of each description of animals that are directly employed in agricultural 
operations, as nearly equal. It may be assumed, then, that at least two-thirds of all the horse- 
flesh in Racine county, is in the shape of farm-horses. This of itself exhibits, in a strong point 
of view, the utilitarian characteristic of our people. In England, where the privileged classes^ 
Buch as the "gentry," the "nobility,'" &c. are numerous, out of 2,000,000 of horses in the king- 
dom, oiily one-twentieth, say 100,000, are used for agricultural purposes ! A large proportion of 
the balance, are what maybe called "pleasure horses". . . .mere accessaries to the luxurious, 
propensities of man ! Many of our farmers are now devoting much of their attention to the rear- 
ing of colts ; and the show of horses at our agricultural exhibition, was respectable. 
WOOIi ANM SHEEP. 

It is believed that wool is to become one of the most important marketable products of this part 
of the state. There are at this time, however, less than 10,000 sheep in Racine county, and the 
product of wool will not much exceed 25,000 lbs. for the past season. Of this quantity of wooU 
the three woollen factories in the county, (two at Burlington and one at AVaterford) together with 
the family spinning-wheels and looms, and the fire-side knitters, use up a good deal. A large pro- 
portion of the wool produced in the counties immediately west of us, sought and found a market 
at Racine, as is evidenced by the heavy shipments of that article from this Port in 1S51 — the ex- 
ports of that year being 106,471 lbs. Prices paid for wool the past season have justified a renewed 
attention to sheep ; and our farmers are now selecting the best breeds with which to replenish tlieir 
flocks. A determination to go more largely into the Wool Business than heretofore, is pervading^ 
our county. It has been demonstrated, that, with judicious management, sheep rearing can be 
made a profitable branch of farming in this county. Mr. Benjamin Stock of the Town of Yorft- 
viUe, purchased 565 choice sheep in 1850, for which he paid ©847.50— or rather gave his note for 
that amount, payable in one year at 12 per cent. From the product of wool from his flock, and 
from the sale of fat weathers and lambs, he was enabled, at the end of the year, not only to pay the 
principal and interest of the purchase money, but to retain the full number of sheep with which he 
began — the increase of lambs having been equal to the deaths by casualty, fadings sold, &c. 

Again : Another farmer of that Town, took 100 on terms similar to those just named ; and 
from the fleeces of his flock, and the fallings he sold from it, he realized suflicient to pay principal 
and interest of the purchase money, with about ©5 cash as a surplus, and his full complement of 

100 sheep remaining (and paid for) at the eapiration of the year These operations are the- 

result, doubtless, of good faRjMing ; but they arc conclusive as to the gainfulncss of this branch 
of agriculture, where good management is favored by moderately good luck, good aiarkets, &c. 
MANUFACTURES. 

Jmlependently of the considerable amount of wool worked up in families, there are three wool- 
len factories in the county — two at Burlington, owned respectively by Messrs. James (Jatton and 
Pliny IVI. Perkins ; and one at Wateribrd, owned by Mr. Dean — which consume a good deal of 
wool in the manufacture of cassimeres, flannels, shceji's gray cloths, and divers other fabrics. 

An Oil Mill is in operation at Burlington, owned by Mr. Perkins. His purchases of seed for 
the year amounted to 600 bushels of flax seed, at 84 cents per bushel, and 200 bushels rape seed, at 
75 cents. From this 800 bushels of seed, it seems he manufactured 1,300 gallons of Oil, worth 
©1 per gallon. This certainly exhibits a remunerating business. 



14 

Of Fi.nrRiNo Mii.i.s, there are seven or eight principal ones in the county, which involve a 
capital of something Iil<e ©100,000, and work up, say, 300,000 busliels of tlic diflerent varieties of 
grain. Of Flour, '22,977 bbls. were shipped from this Tort in 1851, and a like quantity consumed. 

Fdrnaces and Foundries : The tliree Air Furnaces and Foundries in operation at Racine, 
employ a capital of jjij,000. From these maimfactories the country interior is supplied with hol- 
low ware and stoves, a great variety of castings for mill-irons, for machinery, &c. 

For the manufacture of thrashing machines, fanning mills, carriages, wagons, plows, &c., 
there are some eight or ten factories in operation at Racine, Burlington, Rochester, Wnterford, &.c. 
requiring a capital invested of some thirty to forty thousand dollars. 

The total annual product of these establishments, and of all other manufacturing industry in 
the county, cannot fall short of ^350,000 

HISTORICAL.. 

Bordering as this region did the south-eastern extremity of Wisconsin, and nearest in proxim- 
ity with the " white settlements," it was here tliat the plow-shear earliest obliterated the " W'ar- 
paths," and effaced the moccason-prints, of those (wwerful bands of the nomadic race, to whom 
Wisconsin was whilom one vast " deer park." The brave, the magnanimous and athletic chief, 
" O-co-MAH-WAH-BA-siiE," (or The White Swan Chief) who was "born to white man's estate," 
with hie band of Potawatomies, were the last remnant of Aboriginals who lingered on the banks 
of the " Ah-chip-pe-cotton" — known among the French sojourners here as the riviere de Racine, 
but rendered " Root River" in our vernacular. Even this remnant of the "White Swan's" tribe, 
took their final departure hence as early as 1834, sullenly wending their way to the distant north- 
west, in search of new hunting-grounds, and of " a lodge in some vast wilderness" far removed 
from the perilous proximity of the insatiate " pale-faces." 

American adventurers began to make "claims" in this vicinity that same year. And I be- 
lieve Hon. Georce H. Walker, the present worthy Mayor of Milwaukee, built his first Occupant's 
shanty in Wisconsin, at or near " Skunk's Grove" in this county, in the autumn of 1834. In 1835 
several families located at the mouth of Root River, and founded the village (now city) of Racine 
— adopting the French name of the river for the village — Captain Gilhcrt Knapp having been tlie 
principal pre-emptor of the village plat. 

CITY OF RACINE. 

Racine occupies one of the most beautiful locations for a Town on the western shores of Lake 
Michigan -, and as it proved to be an eligible point for a commercial mart and Lake Port, capital 
and enterprize were early attracted hither, and the place has had a rapid, continuous and healthy 
growth, as will be seen by the following statement of six several enumerations of its inhabitants : 

CENSUS returns OF RACINE : 

In 1840, the population was only - - 337 In 1849, it was .- 4,003 

1844, 1,100 1850, - - - - - . . . 5411 

1847, 3,004 1851, 5,897 

And at this date, (1852) our population will doubtless exceed C,000 

RACINI3 MARROR. 

The population of Racine is composed mainly of luatter-of-fact people, the business portion of 
whom are markedly utilitarian in their views, and i>ractical and discreet in their oiJcrations. And 
although in their expenditures for public works, and in aid of all laudable enterprizes, they have 
displayed a munificence unsurpassed in any country so newly jicoplcd, yet in the bestowment of 
their liberality they have usually discriminated in favor of objects of known utility. Principally 
by their own energy and enterprize, and by heavy expenditures from their private means, a Har- 
i)0R has been constructed here that can accommodate all the shipping that navigates this Lake. 

The people themselves projected and cmnmenced this important work ; and, up to tlie present 

time, they have expended in its construction $43,352.42 

Add this amount, appropriated by Congress --- 12,500.00 

And the total cost of the Harbor at this date will be ...... 55,852.42 

It is believed to be witliout a parallel in the history of the improvement of the Lake region of 
the West, that a single community, of limited population, should have projected and successfully 
prosecuted, mainly by their own efforts — by personal services, individual contributions, and self- 
imposed taxes— a public work of the nature and magnitude of the Harbor at Racine. 



15 

AS A HARBOR OF REFUGS^ 

For the retreat ami slielter of vessels navi;.'ating Lake Michigan in stormy weather, or in tlic 
winter months during the close of navigation, Racine possesses the ailvantage of ample capacilij 
In her inner harbor, with an aljiindant depth of water in the River iaiiiiediatcly above. A nier' 
chant fleet of a hundred sail of Lake craft, could lie in perfect security here, with their anchorage 
protected from storms by the adjacent blufl's. 

1,6G0 vessels visited this Port during the last season of navigation ; and 
34 sail of vessels found a " snug harbor" here during the winter. 

SHIP-BTJlIiDJNG AT RACINE. 

The Port of Racine consequently ofTcrs superior advantages for the building, equipment, am"} 
repairing of all classes of lake vessels. Ship timber abounds in the iuiuiediate vicinity, and ship 
knees are even exported hence to New-York, at a profit. There arc two Ship Yards in active 
operation here, owned respectively by Messrs. Justice Bailey and Daniel P. Putney, each of 
Whom has erected a Rail-Way at his Yard, on which to haul out vessels for repairs, &c. 

3 schooners were built at these Yards during the last season ; 
1 do is now on tlie stocks, nearly completed ; and 
26 vessels of all classes, have been repaired here during the year< 

Shipping, owned wholly or in part at Racine :' 

Propeller James Wood. . . ...owned by W. T. Richmond : Tonnage 300. . .Value #12,000 

Brig Mohegan Norton and Durand : " 255 8,000 

Brig Sam Strong Norton and Durand : " 245 7,500 

Brig Cherokee Durand and Hill : " 204 7,500 

Brig Iroquois W. T. Richmond : " 310 7,500 

Brig Olive Richmond , W T Richmond : " 250 5,000 

Brig Ontonagon IsaacTaylor: " 230 6,000 

Brig Anne Winslow , , FA McHenry : " 200 3,000 

Brig Ontario N Pendleton and Co : " 160 2,500 

Schooner Mount Vernon W T Richmond : " 240 7,500 

Schooner Whirlwind Canfield and Co : " 190 5,000 

Schooner Newbold , John G. Conroe : " 180 4,000 

Schooner Lewis C. Ervin.. . . , Canfield and Co : "■ 170 4,000 

Schooner Charles Howard. . . . Messrs. Raymond : ''' 100 2,500 

Schooner Union H. Denton : " 100 2,500 

Schooner Colonel Benton VV T Richmond : " 160 2,000 

Schooner Rocky Mountains Coleman and Linn : " 135......... 1,500 

Schooner Seventy-Six George D. Fellows : " 85. ...... .. 1,800 

Schooner Glynnchor , J. W. Jones and others : " 78 1,600 

Schooner Erie , John Gallien : " 70 .• ,. . 1,400 

Schooner Mariner E. M. Beckwith : " 80 1,200 

Schooner Asa Wilcox Harvey, Francis, et als. : " 125 1,280 

Schooner Dolphin Ja«. M. Sprague : " 90 1,200 

Schooner Liberty Miller and Peters : " 80 1,200 

Schooner Amelia Mrs. Clark : " 65 800 

Schooner on the stocks Alexander C. Stebbins : " 130 4,000 

Sloop Wunx A.D.Eveland: " 60 ... 1,200 

Sloop Lady Ann David Youngs : " 60 , . .. 600 

Whole number of vessels owned, in whole or in part, at Racine, 28.] 

4,372 # 104,200 

Import and Export Trade of Racine. 

At different periods heretofore, much pains has been taken to obtain correct statements of the 
trade and commerce of Racine ; and to afford a condensed view of these statistics, the following 
abstract is appended, made up from reliable data : 

In 1836, our Imports amounted to - - - $52,835 

While the Exports were only about - 14,G00 

In 1841, the Imports rose to . . - . 108,898 

Exports 25,041 

In 1843-'43, the enterprize of our citizens was called into requisition for the improvement of 
their Harbor ; and the work was prosecuted with such vigor, that at the end of three or four years 
good harbor facilities were aflbrderf here to the shipping of the Lakes ; and 



1(3 

\:\ 1SS7, oiir Imports aiiiounu.'d to - $540,559 

And tlie Exports to 4()0,'!90 

In 1919, the Imports were -.--.,.. 757,000 

Tlic Exports 630,950 

In 1851, the Imports were - - 979,.').)8 ) Aggrecatc "commercf." of Racine, 195J; 
Exports - - - - 579,704 5 Monied value, ©1,559,262. 

SOME OF THE ITEMS OF LAST VEAR's EXPORTS : 

t)f Wheat, there was shipped from Racine tlie past year, 284,678 bushels ; valire ©185,040 

Flour 2-2,977 bbls. " 91,908 

Wool 100,491 lbs. " 42,5?3 

Leatheu, manuftictured here, and exported - - 47,353 lbs. " 9,470 

Hides, green and dry - - ... 100,000 lbs. " 8,000 

Beef and Pork - - - . - - 3,gj.i bi,ig. " 35,270 

Oats F0,993 bushels " 20,223 

Barley -..--.. 4o,90^^ " " 20,454 

Corn - - - - - ... je,941 " " 0,020 

Hay - - - . . - - - 250 tons " 1,500 

Packin-i Barrels 4,043 " 4,043 

Ship Knees ------ 279 " 2,700 

All other Exports 151,798 

Showing the value of our Exports, as above stated, to be - - - #579,704 
Manufacturing capital : 

Capital invested in Manufactures in the City of Racine ... - - ©257,000 

Total annual value of the product of Manufactures in the city of Racine, say - 277,000 

All of which is respectfully submitted to the Executive Committee of the Wisconisin State 
Agricultural Society-, to be disposed of as tliey may deem most conducive to the advancement of 
the objects for which the society was instituted : By their fellow-citizen, 

PHILO WHITE. ^ 



EyThe foregoing SxAXiSTrcAt Memoir of the Agriculture, &.c. of Racine 
County, was, as will be seen from its address, prepared for our State Agricultural 
Society, for publication in the volume of " Transactions" which the Society has 
issued for 1S51. But much anxiety having been maniiested by members of the 
Executive Committee of our County Society, as well as by others, that these statis- 
tics should be more extensii-ely diffused in Eacmc county than they can be through 
the medium of the large '• Volume of Transactions" in question, they have been re- 
printed separately, in this form, with notes, emendations, &c., for local circulation. 
Racine, May, 1852. 



Bunner &. Harrison, Printers, Racine: 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



003 220 614 1 



